Rev. Tara Faith Williams, M.Div.
Senior Pastor
Reverend Tara Faith Williams is a visionary pastor, transformational leader, and purpose-driven servant whose ministry and leadership are marked by intentionality, spiritual depth, and unwavering commitment to God’s people. With more than a decade of impactful leadership across church, community, and professional spaces, she is widely respected for her ability to bridge faith, practical leadership, and prophetic witness, fostering growth, renewal, and lasting transformation.
First and foremost, Pastor Tara is a devoted wife, mother, and proud “Grand-T,” yet her calling is most evident when she proclaims the Word with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Known for her fiery, transparent, and truth-centered preaching, she ministers with both theological grounding and lived experience, helping individuals and congregations move from survival to purpose. Her ministry consistently reflects the promise of Jeremiah 29:11—anchored in hope, guided by divine purpose, and rooted in the belief that God’s plans are always redemptive and life-giving. Affectionately called “Pastor Tara,” she delivers messages of love, forgiveness, justice, and spiritual empowerment that resonate across generations, denominations, and cultures.
A servant-leader at heart, Pastor Tara leads by example in both sacred and civic spaces. She is deeply engaged in justice-centered ministry throughout Nashville and the broader faith community, serving as President Elect in the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship and contributing to leadership development within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee. Her advocacy reflects a holistic theology that connects faith with public responsibility, encouraging believers to live out the gospel through service, accountability, and compassionate action in their communities.
In addition to her pastoral leadership, Pastor Tara is an accomplished Human Resources professional, serving as an Employee Engagement Coordinator at Vanderbilt University’s Facilities Business Operations Center. Her administrative expertise, strategic insight, and people-centered approach enable her to lead with excellence in both organizational and ministry settings. These gifts proved instrumental in guiding New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—the historic congregation established by Preston Taylor—through seasons of transition, reimagining, and post-pandemic renewal with clarity, stability, and vision.
Her pastoral journey is marked by historic and faithful service. In June 2017, she became the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tennessee. She later returned to New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) as Executive Pastor, was called to serve as Interim Senior Pastor on February 21, 2021, and after nineteen months of dedicated leadership, was officially called as the 14th Senior Pastor on September 1, 2022, with her installation held in March 2023. Under her leadership, the church has experienced spiritual growth, new membership, strengthened community care, and a renewed focus on purposeful ministry.
Pastor Tara is deeply committed to lifelong learning and theological excellence. She holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University, and a Certificate in Black Church Studies from the Kelly Miller Smith Institute. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary, further equipping her to serve the church with intellectual rigor and pastoral wisdom.
For over three decades, she has been married to her husband, best friend, and partner in life and ministry, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Together they are the proud parents of five children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha (Serenity), Amir, Audreona, and their beloved son Alijah, who was called home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. They are also the joyful grandparents of Santana Cai, Raya Lennox, Aubrianna Caisee, and twin girls A’Nyla Cherish and A’Mara Charm, all of whom are a cherished part of their growing legacy.
Guided by Proverbs 11:25, Pastor Tara lives out a ministry of generosity, justice, and hope. Through preaching, leadership development, community advocacy, and pastoral care, she remains steadfast in her calling: to empower the next generation, strengthen the church, and lead God’s people with faith, purpose, and integrity. Her life and ministry stand as a testament that when faith is lived with intention and purpose, transformation is not only possible—it is inevitable.
First and foremost, Pastor Tara is a devoted wife, mother, and proud “Grand-T,” yet her calling is most evident when she proclaims the Word with clarity, conviction, and compassion. Known for her fiery, transparent, and truth-centered preaching, she ministers with both theological grounding and lived experience, helping individuals and congregations move from survival to purpose. Her ministry consistently reflects the promise of Jeremiah 29:11—anchored in hope, guided by divine purpose, and rooted in the belief that God’s plans are always redemptive and life-giving. Affectionately called “Pastor Tara,” she delivers messages of love, forgiveness, justice, and spiritual empowerment that resonate across generations, denominations, and cultures.
A servant-leader at heart, Pastor Tara leads by example in both sacred and civic spaces. She is deeply engaged in justice-centered ministry throughout Nashville and the broader faith community, serving as President Elect in the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship and contributing to leadership development within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee. Her advocacy reflects a holistic theology that connects faith with public responsibility, encouraging believers to live out the gospel through service, accountability, and compassionate action in their communities.
In addition to her pastoral leadership, Pastor Tara is an accomplished Human Resources professional, serving as an Employee Engagement Coordinator at Vanderbilt University’s Facilities Business Operations Center. Her administrative expertise, strategic insight, and people-centered approach enable her to lead with excellence in both organizational and ministry settings. These gifts proved instrumental in guiding New Covenant Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—the historic congregation established by Preston Taylor—through seasons of transition, reimagining, and post-pandemic renewal with clarity, stability, and vision.
Her pastoral journey is marked by historic and faithful service. In June 2017, she became the first African American pastor of Bellevue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nashville, Tennessee. She later returned to New Covenant Christian Church (DOC) as Executive Pastor, was called to serve as Interim Senior Pastor on February 21, 2021, and after nineteen months of dedicated leadership, was officially called as the 14th Senior Pastor on September 1, 2022, with her installation held in March 2023. Under her leadership, the church has experienced spiritual growth, new membership, strengthened community care, and a renewed focus on purposeful ministry.
Pastor Tara is deeply committed to lifelong learning and theological excellence. She holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University, and a Certificate in Black Church Studies from the Kelly Miller Smith Institute. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary, further equipping her to serve the church with intellectual rigor and pastoral wisdom.
For over three decades, she has been married to her husband, best friend, and partner in life and ministry, Anthony “Chan” Williams, Sr. Together they are the proud parents of five children: Anthony Jr., Aleigha (Serenity), Amir, Audreona, and their beloved son Alijah, who was called home to be with the Lord on December 25, 2018. They are also the joyful grandparents of Santana Cai, Raya Lennox, Aubrianna Caisee, and twin girls A’Nyla Cherish and A’Mara Charm, all of whom are a cherished part of their growing legacy.
Guided by Proverbs 11:25, Pastor Tara lives out a ministry of generosity, justice, and hope. Through preaching, leadership development, community advocacy, and pastoral care, she remains steadfast in her calling: to empower the next generation, strengthen the church, and lead God’s people with faith, purpose, and integrity. Her life and ministry stand as a testament that when faith is lived with intention and purpose, transformation is not only possible—it is inevitable.
